Security monitoring and enforcement system

ABSTRACT

A security monitoring and enforcement system is provided for monitoring and enforcing control in a secure environment, such as an aircraft. The system includes a security monitoring and enforcement unit (SMEU) having a visual surveillance system and an audio surveillance and communication system. The visual surveillance system is mounted to an enforcement system and housed in a ceiling of an aircraft. The SMEU is remotely operated and monitored by remote control system located on the ground. The security monitoring and enforcement system is operable continuously or when a security breach is detected. The enforcement system is activated and fired to subdue a suspect.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a security system and in particular toa security system having enforcement means remotely controlled andactivated by authorised personnel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Security is of great concern in our everyday life. More and more workplaces are providing secure work environments using visual monitoringand by the presence of security personnel. The unwanted presence of asuspicious individual in the work place or public places of securitypresents a risk to the safety of the public.

In the case of aircraft security, a highjacker presents a significantrisk to the passengers and crew. In these cases, terrorists andcriminals can take hostages and create very difficult securitysituations.

Numerous solutions have been put forward to address the problem ofapprehending suspects, in a highjack situation for example. Currentagencies employ a guard or Marshall present in every flight. However,the major drawback of having guards on aircrafts is the risk inenforcing their authority in a security breach situation throughfirearms. The risk of damage to the fuselage is significant as rapiddepressurisation may occur. The risk to the safety of passengers is alsovery high.

A further problem is the guards are more than likely to be outnumberedand the possibility of them being killed as the first act by highjackersis high. Furthermore, the weapons used by the guards may becomeinadvertently available to the highjackers.

Another known system of diffusing a security breach is the injection ofsleeping gas into the passenger compartment of an aircraft. The effectof the sleeping gas is that all the passengers and quite possibly thecrew as well are immobilised. A further drawback is highjackers arelikely to have gas masks in anticipation of such security measures.

In other situations requiring the apprehension of suspects, securitydogs may be used. U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,398 describes a remotelycontrolled dog muzzle. A dog muzzle apparatus is attached to a doghaving a stun gun fitted with the muzzle. The stun gun is used withpolice dogs for apprehending and subduing suspects and is operatedremotely by authorised personnel. The dog having the muzzle comes incontact with the suspect to immobilise the suspect by the electriccharge in the stun gun.

Although the above system removes the risk of injury to the authorisedpersonnel by the remote operation of the stun gun, the police dog,however, must come in contact with the suspect. There is a substantialrisk, the suspect may injure and incapacitate the dog through use offirearms or other weapons. The muzzle with the stun gun is thenineffective.

The use of security dogs having stun guns attached to them, in theworkplace or aircraft, is impractical and unsafe.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a system which overcomes atleast one drawback of the above systems.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a remotely operatedmonitoring and enforcement system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadestform, the invention resides in a system for monitoring and enforcingcontrol in an environment where security is desired, said systemcomprising:

monitoring means for monitoring the status of said security environment;

enforcement means for expelling immobilising means at a target toimmobilise said target; and

remote control means remotely controlling the activation of theenforcement means if a security breach is detected in said environment.

In a preferred form of the invention, the enforcement means includes astun gun. The immobilising means may include stun cartridges expelledfrom the barrel of said stun gun to immobilise the target with highelectric charge.

The immobilising means may also include tranquilliser darts,conventional arrows or gas pellets.

The stun gun is preferably adjustably mounted in a housing in saidenvironment.

Preferably, the system includes a receiver means for receiving remotecontrol signals from said remote control means to operate saidmonitoring and enforcement means.

The monitoring means includes visual and audio surveillance means.

Preferably, the visual means includes at least one video cameraadjustably mounted to the stun gun in said housing and coupled to atransmitter for transmitting video signals to said remote control means.

Preferably, the audio means includes a microphone and speaker coupled toa transmitter and mounted in said housing. Said audio means providestwo-way communication with said remote control means.

The video camera is preferably rotated with the stun gun to enableaiming and zooming at said target. Said video camera may be remotelyactivated periodically or when a security breach is detected.

Preferably the remote control means wirelessly controls the monitoringand enforcement means.

Preferably the remote control means includes a transmitter fortransmitting a control signal to said receiver means of the monitoringand enforcement means.

The control signal is preferably a coded signal, which is decoded insaid receiver means, of said monitoring and enforcement means.

The transmitter is preferably a radio transmitter transmitting saidcoded signal to control the operation of said monitoring and enforcementmeans. A processing means operable by a human operator preferablyprovides command signals which are transmitted to said monitoring andenforcement means.

In another form of the invention there is provided a security monitoringand enforcement system for use on an aircraft, said system comprising:

monitoring means for monitoring the security status of said aircraft;

enforcement means fitted to said aircraft for expelling immobilisingmeans at a target to immobilise said target; and

remote control means remotely controlling the activation of theenforcement means if a security breach is detected in said aircraft.

Preferably a plurality of the monitoring and enforcement means ismounted the aircraft.

Preferably said enforcement means includes a stun gun. The stun gun mayinclude one or more barrels.

Preferably, said immobilising means include stun cartridges which areexpelled from the barrel of said stun gun to immobilise a target withhigh electric charge.

The enforcement means is mounted on a rotating carriage so that saidstun gun may be rotated to aim at said target.

Preferably, the enforcement means includes a receiver means forreceiving remote control signals from said remote control means tooperate said monitoring and enforcement means.

Preferably an aperture formed between said carriage and a mounting plateattached to a surface of the aircraft allows the stun gun to fire intothe passenger compartment without interference.

The aperture may be provided with sensors to indicate if the aperture isblocked or tampered with.

Preferably, the monitoring means includes visual and audio means.

The visual and audio means can be remotely controlled and operated bysaid remote control means, periodically or when security is breached insaid aircraft.

Said visual and audio means can include at least one video camera, amicrophone and a speaker coupled to a transmitter.

The video camera is preferably mounted to and rotated with the stun gunto enable aiming and zooming at a target.

Preferably, the remote control means wirelessly controls the monitoringand enforcement means.

Preferably the remote control means includes a transmitter fortransmitting a control signal to said monitoring and enforcement means.

The transmission is preferably a coded signal, which is decoded in saidreceiver means of said monitoring and enforcement means.

The transmitter is preferably a ground station radio transmittertransmitting said coded signal to control the operation of saidmonitoring and enforcement means. A processing means operable by a lawenforcement operator preferably generates command signals which aretransmitted to said ground station radio transmitter for uplink to saidmonitoring and enforcement means.

In yet another form of the invention there is provided a remotelyoperated stun gun for use with a security system, said stun guncomprising:

at least one barrel for housing an immobilising means;

actuation means for expelling said immobilising means at a target toimmobilise said target; and

remote control means remotely controlling the actuation of saidactuation means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a to 1 c are embodiments of various orientations of a securitymonitoring and enforcement unit (SMEU) in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a security monitoring and enforcement unit;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an aircraft having a plurality of securityand monitoring enforcement units;

FIG. 4 a is a schematic of a stun cartridge used in a securitymonitoring and enforcement unit;

FIG. 4 b is a schematic of a tranquilliser dart used in securitymonitoring and enforcement unit;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a security monitoring andenforcement system in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the transmitter and receiver units of thesecurity monitoring and enforcement system of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a preferred form of the invention, the invention will be describedwith reference to a security monitoring and enforcement system used withan aircraft. However, it should be noted that the invention can also beapplied in other security environments such as, banks, airportterminals, hospitals and the like. The invention may also be used withexisting alarm and security systems in homes or other environments wheresecurity is desired.

In a preferred form of the invention, there is generally shown in FIG. 1a security monitoring and enforcement unit (SMEU) 1 for use in asecurity monitoring and enforcement system in accordance with theinvention. The SMEU 1 comprises monitoring means including a videocamera 2, microphone and speaker unit 3 and an enforcement means 4. Inthe present embodiment the enforcement means is a stun gun for expellingimmobilising means 5. A remote control means as shown in FIG. 5 remotelycontrols the operation of the camera 2, mic and speaker unit 3 and stungun 4. The remote operation of the SMEU 1 in a security monitoring andenforcement system will be described in detail later.

FIG. 1 a shows one direction of the stun gun 4. FIGS. 1 b and 1 c showexamples of other alternative directions of the stun gun 4.

In the present embodiment SMEU 1 is fitted in an aircraft as part of asecurity monitoring and enforcement system. Referring to FIG. 1 a, SMEU1 is mounted into a ceiling panel 6 of an aircraft. SMEU 1 can be placedanywhere it is desirable to have monitoring and enforcement capabilityin the aircraft. Ideally, the passenger compartment and the cockpit isappropriate since any security breach, such as attempted highjacking islikely to occur in these areas.

A mounting plate 7 allows the SMEU 1 to be mounted to the ceiling panel6. A direction motor 18 rotates a rotating carriage 8 via a pinion andring gear drive 19. Carriage 8 supports stun gun 4 having a barrel 10and video camera 2. The barrel 10 and video camera 2 are disguisedinside aperture 11 between the mounting plate 7 and rotating carriage 8such that no one can see which direction the barrel and camera ispointing. The camera 2 and barrel 10 point out through the aperture 11so that the camera can capture visual images and aid in the aiming ofthe barrel at potential targets. The aperture is continuous around thecarriage 8 so that the stun gun can be pointed in any direction.

A mounting block 12 with internal screw thread is propelled by screwaction up and down the matching threaded shaft 9 as it rotates. Theheight of the block is set by direction and the amount of rotation ofshaft 9, which is driven by a trajectory motor 17 or other suitablemeans. The mounting block 12 includes a pivot 13 that slides in slot ˜14in the extension arm 15 of the barrel 10. The barrel 110 and camera 2also pivot on pivot point 16 attached to carriage 8.

In operation the barrel 10 can be adjusted from the horizontal as shownin FIG. 1 c to an angle in the vertical plane as shown in FIGS. 1 a and1 b by the operation of trajectory motor 17.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a plan view of SMEU 1. Carriage 8 canbe rotated via direction motor 18 driving through a pinion and ring geardrive 19 as shown in FIG. 1, or other suitable translation meanscommonly known in the art. The rotation of the carriage 8 enables aimingof the barrel 10 in the horizontal plane.

The SMEU 1 includes transmitter and receiver means 30, 31 (FIG. 6) forreceiving remote control signals to operate the SMEU. The operation ofstun gun 4 is determined based on the visual and audio informationtransmitted by the monitoring means to the remote control means 28.

In this embodiment, the remote control means is a wireless remotecontrol. However, in other applications such as in buildings, the remotecontrol can be hardwired.

In the embodiment described with reference to an aircraft, the SMEU canbe provided with a plurality of cameras. Additional cameras can beplaced around carriage 8 to provide fill in views for a complete 360°view. One or more of these cameras is associated with barrel 10 of stungun 4 to assist in aiming using crosshairs and adjustable zoom, toaccurately target a highjacker. The remaining cameras provide a 360°view to a remote operator to enable them to view other parts of theaircraft and behind the highjacker.

In a further embodiment, SMEU can be provided with multiple firingbarrels in stun gun 4. The multiple barrels facilitate numerousimmobilising means to be fired at varying angles. The plurality ofcameras provides aiming and zooming capabilities for the furtherbarrels.

The SMEU having camera 2 requires an aperture 11 through which thepassenger compartment of an aircraft can be viewed, as discussedearlier. A tamper sensor (not shown) can be provided to detect if theaperture is blocked or the SMEU is tampered with thereby blinding thecamera 2 and barrel 10 of the SMEU. The sensor can be in the form ofphoto or light sensors to detect light reduction. In the event, a lowlight level is sensed, then an automatic alarm condition is indicated.Once activated by the light sensor, the SMEU automatically activates andoperates a set of blades to cut through whatever is blocking theaperture.

A plurality of SMEUs can be placed in various parts of the aircraft asshown FIG. 3. Once a tamper condition is determined at one SMEU, allother SMEUs are activated automatically by the remote control means toallow immobilising means to be fired by other SMEUs at the tamperer.

It is possible to have automatic activation of other SMEUs withoutreverting to the remote control means.

Each SMEU of a plurality of SMEUs mounted in an aircraft is anindependent system, so that if one SMEU is immobilised other SMEUsremain operable and active.

The SMEU of the present invention uses a stun gun expelling immobilisingmeans. The immobilising means can include any suitable means whichimmobilise a suspect target rather than killing the target. The presentinvention is realised by the use of a stun cartridge which is expelledfrom the stun gun to a target, such as a highjacker. Other immobilisingmeans such as gas pellets or darts can be used with the stun gun.

FIG. 4 a shows a stun cartridge 20 which is used with the SMEU of thepresent invention. The cartridge 20 has two probes 21 which upon impacton a target, complete an electrical circuit and discharge a high voltageinto the target. The high voltage may be stored in the SMEU in asuitable battery using capacitive storage, with two thin wires 22providing power connection to the cartridge from the SMEU. A currentsensor can be provided to detect the above discharge of current whichthen activates a forced ejection of the wires from barrel 10, so thatanother cartridge may be positioned in the barrel ready to be fired bythe SMEU.

A suitable stun cartridge presently available is provided by TASER®International which can expel a cartridge up to 7 meters.

In an alternate embodiment, other types of darts such as tranquilliserdarts may be used. It is necessary that the dart contains the toxin orchemical until impact with a target. This is primarily for safetyreasons as well as to ensure no chemical breakdown of the chemical canoccur due to the absence of air and oxygen.

Referring now to FIG. 4 b there is shown a tranquilliser dart 23. Ahypodermic type needle 24 capable of penetrating a bullet proof vest, ismoulded into a plastic body 25. Inside the plastic body 25 there is athin plastic membrane bag 26 containing the tranquillising chemical. Amovable weight 27 is placed behind the membrane bag 26.

Upon impact of the dart with the body of a suspect target, the needle 24penetrates the skin. The plastic body 25 is suddenly stopped at the skinof the target causing sudden deceleration of the dart. The moveableweight 27 under the forces of inertia, moves forward to push themembrane bag 26 thereby forcing the chemical contained within to beinjected into the target by needle 24. Other mechanisms for achievingthe same result would be readily known to a person skilled in the art.

In an alternate form, “arrow” type darts can be used. These dartscomprise of a solid aerodynamic arrow designed to penetrate a targetsbody.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation of the SMEU in a securitymonitoring and enforcement system will be described. Remote controlmeans 28 is a wireless remote control, which transmits a coded signalvia ground station radio transmitters 29 to receivers 31 on an aircraftfor each SMEU1 on-board. The transmission signal is a conventional radiotransmission signal capable of communicating with aircraft communicationsystems, such as those used in air-traffic control. The transmissionsignal is encoded with control information for various functions of themonitoring and enforcement means in each SMEU. Ideally, the transmissionsignal is encrypted using standard encryption techniques used incommercial and military applications so that the operation of the SMEUsis not tampered with.

In this embodiment, the remote control 28 is a wireless control stationlocated on the ground and operated by law enforcement authorities.However, it is possible to have an aircraft based wireless remotecontrol means, such as on the same aircraft as the SMEUs or othermilitary aircraft. Alternatively, the remote control can be ocean basedon a vessel, such as military ship. In a further alternate embodiment,the remote control can be hardwired to control the operation of theremotely controlled SMEU in building applications, such as banks,airport terminals and the like.

Remote control 28 includes a processor 35 operated by a law enforcementoperator or other authorised personnel to control the functions of theSMEU. The processor can be realised by a computer terminal usingconventional display means to display video signals and audio signalstransmitted by each SMEU on an aircraft which is being monitored.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the remote control 28 transmits encoded controlsignals via its transmitter 33 to control the operation of the SMEU. Thecontrol signals can include commands such as: activate microphone;activate cameras; zoom camera; control trajectory and direction of stungun; firing control of stun gun. A receiver 31 of the SMEU receives theencoded signal and a processor 32 decodes the encoded signals intoelectrical command signals for operation of the SMEU. In this way, thespeaker, microphone, cameras and stun gun is activated and controlled tooperate the SMEU. A joystick can be used with computer terminal 35 toprovide direction control of the cameras. The joystick is also used fordirection control of the stun gun and firing of darts.

The SMEU transmits video, audio, activation and tamper signals viatransmitter 30 which is received at receiver 34 of the remote control28. The computer terminal 35 displays the video images captured by theSMEUs as well as audio relating to the passenger compartment. The videoimages comprise continuous real-time or near real time images fromvarious cameras and angles associated with each SMEU. Conventionaltelevision transmission technology, or an accepted adaptation of it, orany suitable audio and video capture software can be used to display theimages, as it would be known to a person skilled in the art.

The operation of the SMEUs can be continuous thereby constantlytransmitting to remote control 28, where the security status of anaircraft is monitored. Any breach of security is captured by the videocameras and microphone. Law enforcement operators can then locate anyperpetrators on the aircraft using the video cameras, and subdue them byfiring the stun guns. The law enforcement operators may engage intwo-way communication with the suspects via the microphone and speakerin each SMEU.

The system allows real time audio and video surveillance of thepassenger compartment in an aircraft as well as real time remoteelectronic firing control of immobilisation darts.

Alternatively, the SMEU may be inoperable until a security breach in theaircraft is alerted to law enforcement operators at remote control 28.Emergency activation can be realised in numerous ways includingactivation by the Pilot in the cockpit, by Flight Attendants using aremote keyring type controller, by cellular or mobile phonecommunication to ground authorities or by excessive noise levels in thepassenger compartment.

In a further embodiment, if the remote control becomes non-functionaldue to poor weather conditions, the SMEUs may be automatically activatedand operated by the Pilot and Co-Pilot in the cockpit to monitor ancontrol the security situation in the passenger compartment.

In a tamper protection mode, the SMEU is activated automatically andallows law enforcement operators at the remote control 28 to capture avideo image of the tamperer's face, warn the tamperer and if necessaryfire immobilising darts.

The SMEU can also incorporate over ride prevention control so that itcannot be stopped, by anyone on the aircraft other than the lawenforcement operators at remote control 28. In this embodimentintimidation of air crew or Pilots will not stop the system.

The invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments. However, it should be noted that other embodiments areenvisaged within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A device for monitoring and enforcing control in an environment wheresecurity is desired, the device comprising: a mounting plate attachableto a surface; a carriage rotatable with respect to the mounting plateand forming an aperture between the mounting plate and the carriage;means for expelling immobilizing means mounted on the carriage so as tobe concealed behind the surface, said immobilizing means being expelledat a target through the aperture; means for monitoring a security statusof the environment; and means for receiving remote control signals foractivating the means for expelling if a security breach is detected. 2.The device of claim 1 further comprising means for sensing a blockage ofthe aperture.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the immobilizing meansincludes cartridges that immobilize the target with high electriccharge.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the immobilizing means includestranquilliser darts, conventional arrows or gas pellets.
 5. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the means for expelling is mounted on the carriage soas to be adjustable in elevation.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein themeans for monitoring comprises means for visual and audio surveillance.7. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving receiveswireless signals from a means for remotely controlling.
 8. The system ofclaim 7 wherein the means for remotely controlling comprises atransmitter for transmitting the remote control signals to the means forreceiving.
 9. The device of claim 7 wherein the means for remotelycontrolling comprises means for processing operable by a human operatorwhich provides command signals that are transmitted to the means forreceiving.
 10. The device of claim 7 wherein the means for monitoringcomprises at least one video camera adjustably mounted to the means forexpelling and coupled to a transmitter for transmitting video signals tosaid means for remotely controlling.
 11. The device of claim 7 whereinthe means for monitoring comprises a microphone coupled to a transmitterfor transmitting audio signals to said means for remotely controlling.12. The device of claim 11 further comprising a speaker coupled to areceiver for two-way communication with the means for remotelycontrolling.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for monitoringcomprises a plurality of video cameras providing a 360 degree view ofthe environment.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein at least one of theplurality of cameras is rotatable with the means for expelling to assistwith aiming of the means for expelling.
 15. The device of claim 1wherein the means for monitoring is remotely activated periodically orwhen a security breach is detected.
 16. The device of claim 1 whereinthe remote control signals are coded signals, which are decoded in saidmeans for receiving.
 17. A security monitoring and enforcement systemfor an aircraft comprising a plurality of devices for monitoring andenforcing control, each device comprising: a mounting plate attached toan internal surface of the aircraft; a carriage rotatable with respectto the mounting plate and forming an aperture between the mounting plateand the carriage; means for expelling immobilizing means mounted on thecarriage so as to be concealed behind the surface, said immobilizingmeans being expelled at a target through the aperture; means formonitoring a security status of the aircraft; and means for remotelycontrolling the activation of the means for expelling if a securitybreach is detected.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the means forremotely controlling includes a transmitter for transmitting a controlsignal to the means for expelling.
 19. The system of claim 18 whereinthe control signal is a coded signal.
 20. The system of claim 18 whereinthe transmitter is a ground station radio transmitter transmitting thecontrol signal to control the operation of the means for expelling. 21.The system of claim 20 wherein a means for processing operable by a lawenforcement operator generates command signals which are transmitted tothe ground station radio transmitter for uplink to the means forexpelling.
 22. A security monitoring and enforcement system for use onan aircraft, said system comprising: means for monitoring the securitystatus of said aircraft; a stun gun having one or more barrels, the stungun being adapted to expel stun cartridges from a barrel of said stungun to immobilize a target with high electric charge, said stun gunbeing mounted on a rotating carriage in said aircraft so that said stungun may be rotated to aim at said target; and means for remotelycontrolling the activation of the stun gun if a security breach isdetected in said aircraft, wherein an aperture formed between saidcarriage and a mounting plate attached to a surface of the aircraftallows the stun gun to fire into a passenger compartment withoutinterference, said aperture being provided with sensors to indicate ifthe aperture is blocked or tampered with.